Did I do ok? beretta A303 Special Trap

[WNC Seabee]

I went to the gun show this morning with my mind set on a Beretta AL391 Sporting or a Browning Silver Sporting. What I came home with is a Beretta A303 Special Trap with 32" Fixed Full Choke barrel. I paid $525 OTD. The wood and metal finish are all terrific, I'd say 95% or thereabouts. It has an adjustable comb and a Kickeez recoil pad.

I plan on using this for trap, skeet and sporting clays. I'm left handed, if that makes a difference.

My thought was to get a good gun for now to see if I stick with the clay games before spending several hundred dollars more on a "better" gun.

I am an absolute newbie when it comes to clay games and don't have a mentor, so, did I do okay?

Thanks all!

 

[oneounceload]

You may or may not need to get the stock properly fitted - that will depend after you take to the pattern board to see where it shoots in relation to where you're pointing. If you do all your clay shooting from a pre-mounted position, then the stock should work well (assuming it fits). The 303 is a great gas gun and will work well.

Since you mention all three games, having that full choke threaded for choke tubes might be advantageous down the road, allowing a more open choke for skeet, medium for sporting and tighter for trap, especially handicap.

Have fun!

 

[Dave McCracken]

Good gun, decent price.

303s have lots of happy owners. As One Oz said, getting the barrel threaded for chokes adds versatility up the wazoo. I'd use Orlen or Briley.

 

[Will Fennell]

303's once DOMINATED sportingclays

When I first started in competitive sporting clays in the '95, the Beretta 303 was the DOMINATE shotgun. The only reason shooters switched to the 390, and then the 391, is they discontinued the 303. I don't think you can find a better semi auto sporting clay gun than the 303.

Actually many guys prefered the Special trap model, as it was easy to shave down the comb of the stock to your deminsions. Also, it was not uncommon for the earlier Beretta mobile choke barrels to have the chokes installed crooked to the bore, and the fixed choke trap barrel was "clean slate" for a company like Seminole Gunworks or Ballistic Specialties to install long thin wall chokes in the gun.

If sporting clays is you main focus, you should consider just having the fixed choke "opened up" to say Light Modified, or Modified, and shooting the gun with fixed choke. This is a relatively simple operation for a good gunsmith. Thin wall screw chokes can be fragile, and if the shooter is careless in the least, you can severely damage you barrel.

IMHO, you have found a classic shotgun......I know more than one clay shooter who collects old 303's.

 

[WNC Seabee]

Thanks for the feedback guys. I'll be heading out for my first rounds of trap this afternoon!

 

[ArmedBear]

CDNN has 303 barrels for some pretty good prices right now. Before running out and having yours threaded, consier just buying a mobil choke barrel for $199 with some chokes included. Then you could have a long Trap barrel, and a regular-length multi-choke barrel for Skeet and Clays.

http://www.cdnninvestments.com

 

[WNC Seabee]

I looked at those barrels at CDNN..their webite is a bit confusing, I think they've made some copy/paste mistakes in a few descriptions. I'll give them a call.

It appears the available barrels are 24". Wouldn't this be too short, generally speaking, for a clays gun?

 

[Will Fennell]

Yup, a bit short

24" would be a bit short for optimal handling. If that is all they have, stick with what you have

 

[ArmedBear]

The catalog I have lists 28" Mobil Choke barrels, 26" fixed Skeet barrels, and some others. Call them for the real scoop.

 

[reckless carolinian]

Seabee, where do you shoot at? I'd love to get into clays myself. .

 

[WNC Seabee]

reckless...I'm up near Asheville and will be going to the Buncombe County Wildlife adn Skeet Club. Down near Charlotte, where I think you are, there are a number of places to check out.

Check out this local forum for a GREAT resource...
http://www.carolinashootersforum.com/

I go by the same handle over there. Lots of guys in your area that would be happy to host you for an afternoon.

 

[reckless carolinian]

Seabee, I'm actually in Fletcher, right near Asheville. Fixed my location so as to properly reflect same. Where is the Buncombe Co. Club? I'd be interested to check it out. Where can I get some details?

 

[WNC Seabee]

well, heck, we're neighbors! =)

The range is off of Howard Gap Road, here the Club info:
http://www.claytargetsonline.com/club.php/16

I haven't been yet. Planned to go today, but family stuff got in the way. Planning no going Weds. afternoon. I too am a total newbie at the clay sports, but it looks like a ton of fun!

Shoot me a PM if you want to check it out together, it would be nice not being the ony new guy!

 

[reckless carolinian]

I'll see if my wife (a.k.a. She Who Must Be Obeyed) would let me. You planning on trying out that 303? The site didn't list cost for visitors. Guess a call to them is in order.